Preparation of Methyl Acrylate-Grafted Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber and its Application as a Filler in Poly(Vinyl Chloride)/Epoxidised Natural Rubber Composites
Graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) onto OPEFB fiber has been successfully carried out using hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ammonium sulfate as initiators in an aqueous medium. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction period and amount of monomer and initiators on the percentage of...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2005
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/6204/1/FS_2005_4.pdf |
| Summary: | Graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) onto OPEFB fiber has been
successfully carried out using hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ammonium sulfate as
initiators in an aqueous medium. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction period
and amount of monomer and initiators on the percentage of grafting were
investigated. The results show that the percentage of grafting depends on reaction
period and temperature as weil as concentration of monomers and initiators. The
maximum percentage of grafting was obtained when the reaction was carried out
using 33.36 mmol of MA, 6.00 mmol of H202a nd 0.191 mmol of ~ efo~r 21+0
minutes at 75OC. The presence of the functional group in the grafted polymers was
characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to
study the surface morphology. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the grafted
OPEFB is thermally stable than the virgin OPEFB.
Effect of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber and poly(methy1 acrylate)
grafted OPEFB Gn several mechanical properties of poly(viny1 ch1oride)lepoxidized
natural rubber (PVCENR) 50150 and 70130 blends were also studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVCJENR blend using
HAKEE Rheomixer at the rotor speed of 50 rpm, mixing temperature 150°C and
mixing period of 20 minutes. The fiber loadings were varied from 0 to 30% and the
effect of fiber content in the composites on their tensile strength (Ts), Young's
Modulus, Modulus at 100% (Mloo), elongation at break (Eb), flexural modulus,
hardness and impact strength were determined. An increasing trend was observed in
the tensile strength, Young's Modulus, flexural modulus, impact and hardness with
the addition of grafted and ungrafted fiber to the PVCIENR blend. A higher
elongation at break and tensile strength and decrease in the flexural and Young's
modulus observed with the addition of PMA-g-OPEFB fiber compared to ungrafied
fiber. This observation indicates that grafting of PMA onto OPEFB impart some
flexibility to the blend. Scanning electron microscope confirms that the increase in
properties is caused by improved fiber-matrix adhesion. There was less inclination
for the fibers to pull out of the matrix. Furthermore the thermal analysis by Dynamic
Mechanical Analysis (DMA) indicated shifting in the Tg of the PVCJENR
composites with the addition of the OPEFB fiber. Thermogravemetric analysis
(TGA) did not show any significant changes in the thermal stability. FTIR
spectrums for the grafted and ungrafted fiber composites were almost identical.
Effect of electron beam radiation on the tensile properties of the PVCJENR
composites with 10% of fiber loading was studied. Electron beam irradiation and
addition of crosslinking agent cause enhancement in tensile strength, Young's
Modulus, Modulus at 100% (Mloo)a nd gel content, with a concurrent reduction in
the elongation at break (Eb) of the PVCIENR composite |
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